English–Japanese
“hesitation” in Japanese
How to say “hesitation” in Japanese
“Hesitation” in Japanese is 遠慮 (enryo).
It expresses deliberate restraint that keeps a person from acting or speaking freely in consideration of others.
Example sentences with 遠慮
質問があれば、遠慮なく手を挙げてください。shitsu mon ga a re ba en ryo na ku te o a ge te ku da sa i
If you have a question, please raise your hand without hesitation.
Tips for using 遠慮
- In everyday conversation, 遠慮 (enryo) can describe social restraint rather than doubt, which explains its use when someone politely holds back from accepting or asking for something.
Other Japanese words for “hesitation”
彼は返事を躊躇しました。kare wa hen ji o chū cho shi ma shi ta
He hesitated to reply.